OBITUARY

Sally L. Ketchel

September 30, 1924 – June 8, 2018

Sally Ketchel was born Lila Claire Nichols in St Anthony, Idaho on September 30, 1924 to Durham and Esther Ellis Nichols. Her two-year old sister, Lilian, had difficulty pronouncing "Lila", so "Sally" she became. The youngest of 3 children, Sally grew up on a farm in Mountain Home, Idaho. She lived through the Great Depression and recalled stories of hobos knocking at the door looking for a bite to eat. She said none ever left their house hungry. And while neighbors and school mates were grateful to receive government commodities, her father refused them, saying he would provide for his family. That generosity, work ethic and independence inscribed her character. Following WWII, while living in San Francisco with Lilian, she met and later married the love of her life, Air Force Lt. Charles Ketchel. Her grace and style suited perfectly the role of an Air Force officer's wife. Their marriage was blessed with 3 of the most beautiful and gifted children ever born. (That's what she thought, anyway.) Her passions were her family, faith, friends, and home, the Air Force, and the game of bridge at which she excelled until the end of her life. After her beloved Chuck passed away, she married Robert Leimbeck. They brightened each other's lives for 12 years and Sally's family expanded to include Bob's sons Bruce (Mary), Mark (Cathy) and grandchildren Jennifer, Greg, Alex, and Kristen. Sally was preceded in death by her parents, brother Nick, and sister; husbands Chuck and Bob; grandson Craig Ketchel; and her "fourth child", daughter-in-law, Suzi Ketchel. She once shared that her nightly prayer while raising her children was that she would live to see them grown. Those prayers were more than answered as she had the joy of watching her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren grow to continue her and Chuck's legacy of generosity of spirit, kindness, integrity and strength. Left behind to cherish the memory of her beauty, abiding love, and radiant smile are her children Charles Ketchel, Kathy Ketchel and Kim Bain; grandchildren Chas (Jana) Ketchel, Kristen Ketchel-Bain, Alison (Jimmy) Perry; great grandchildren Grant and Caroline Ketchel and Aria Perry; niece Vicky, great niece Stefani; her bridge buddies; and her devoted rescue dog Wicket. All were blessed beyond measure to be a part of her journey through this life.The family gratefully acknowledges the outstanding, compassionate care of the nurses and staff at Heartland Hospice of Shawnee, Oklahoma.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00A.M., Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Bill Eisenhour Northeast Chapel, Oklahoma City, OK. Interment will follow at Arlington Memory Gardens, Midwest City, OK.

Sally L. Ketchel

Carol Scannell

June 11, 2018

The Ketchel home in Oklahoma was one of the few anchors in my vagabond life and not just for it’s abiding familiarity. Sally and Chuck were two of the warmest, most naturally welcoming of my parents’ friends who made me feel like family from little. It was to their home that I “ran away” at age 5 in Louisiana. I remember so much laughter and so much love (and a fair amount of discipline!). I am very sorry for your loss but also very glad that so many generations were touched by her.

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Biography

Sally Ketchel was born Lila Claire Nichols in St Anthony, Idaho on September 30, 1924 to Durham and Esther Ellis Nichols. Her two-year old sister, Lilian, had difficulty pronouncing "Lila", so "Sally" she became. The youngest of 3 children, Sally grew up on a farm in Mountain Home, Idaho. She lived through the Great Depression and recalled stories of hobos knocking at the door looking for a bite to eat. She said none ever left their house hungry. And while neighbors and school mates were grateful to receive government commodities, her father refused them, saying he would provide for his family. That generosity, work ethic and independence inscribed her character.Following WWII, while living in San Francisco with Lilian, she met and later married the love of her life, Air Force Lt. Charles Ketchel. Her grace and style suited perfectly the role of an Air Force officer's wife. Their marriage was blessed with 3 of the most beautiful and gifted children ever born. (That's what she thought, anyway.)Her passions were her family, faith, friends, and home, the Air Force, and the game of bridge at which she excelled until the end of her life.After her beloved Chuck passed away, she married Robert Leimbeck. They brightened each other's lives for 12 years and Sally's family expanded to include Bob's sons Bruce (Mary), Mark (Cathy) and grandchildren Jennifer, Greg, Alex, and Kristen.Sally was preceded in death by her parents, brother Nick, and sister; husbands Chuck and Bob; grandson Craig Ketchel; and her "fourth child", daughter-in-law, Suzi Ketchel.She once shared that her nightly prayer while raising her children was that she would live to see them grown. Those prayers were more than answered as she had the joy of watching her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren grow to continue her and Chuck's legacy of generosity of spirit, kindness, integrity and strength.Left behind to cherish the memory of her beauty, abiding love, and radiant smile are her children Charles Ketchel, Kathy Ketchel and Kim Bain; grandchildren Chas (Jana) Ketchel, Kristen Ketchel-Bain, Alison (Jimmy) Perry; great grandchildren Grant and Caroline Ketchel and Aria Perry; niece Vicky, great niece Stefani; her bridge buddies; and her devoted rescue dog Wicket. All were blessed beyond measure to be a part of her journey through this life.The family gratefully acknowledges the outstanding, compassionate care of the nurses and staff at Heartland Hospice of Shawnee, Oklahoma.

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